Single Serving: Dead Western Plains – Alta 7″

As you might imagine, I’m always excited to discover great new music. And that is exactly what I got when I recently received a bundle of 7″ records from Fort Lowell Records.

After I posted my Top 7″ vinyl releases of 2010, James from Fort Lowell contacted me to put my list to the Pepsi challenge. Essentially, he suggested that a number of his label’s artists would have made the list if I heard them.

And you know what? He was right. Of course, it should go without saying that my Top 7″ releases can only incorporate the best music I heard through the year – which inevitably means I miss a few great records every year. It turns out a number of the records I missed were released by Fort Lowell. Better late than never though – right?

Amongst those great singles was the debut single from Dead Western Plains — a Tucson, Arizona based five-piece. Their single “Alta” is a deliriously rambunctious, floor-board stomping pop song featuring billowy synths, squealing guitars and a wandering melody that weaves through a seamless collage of distinct interwoven parts. In other words, it was right up my alley. The singles b-side “Gift Horse In The Mouth” is structurally as experimental as the single’s a-side and just as good too. It features twinkling, clattering percussion and humming synths that flow alongside a droning guitar riff and even, dryly focused vocals. Stop by Fort Lowell Records to add it to your collection.